Millikin University - Millidek Yearbook (Decatur, IL)

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Classes A tall blue shadow came forward from Darkness; it held a candle, un- lighted. The Shadow blew upon the candle — a pointed golden flame ap- peared, and spread a circle of warm light. The gold swayed like tapestry of yellow velvet ; then it smoothed into a flat disk-like surface. Along the outer edge of this disk were many figures; among them were girls wearing blue skirts with white sweaters, winding in and out among other figures that stood erect upon tiers of bleachers and chanted Fight ' em — fight ' em — . The air vibrated with the snappings of a huge bonfire; a band suddenly crashed out a chord of music, and they rose, clamorous. The golden flame flickered low, so that the disk of light vanished for a moment and then came back. Figures were still visible on it, but they seemed to differ from those who had been there before. Manv of them were standing about a long table, where a tall girl poured tea from a silver pot, and passed tiny green mints in a cut-glass bowl. The disk of light revolved slowly about the candle, and as these figures faded another group appeared on the flat surface. A deep hush sur- rounded them; they were writing in black leather notebooks with coral pens; sketches from their writing detached themselves, and formed dim, majestic shapes— tall thoughts of philosophers, bright orchid shadows that were the ponderings of scientists, the pale opal of poetry. . . . From the distance came the soft leathery thud of a ball against a board, and then the triumphant shriek of a whistle. A calm followed, and as the flame half sank, many figures, in a blurred brilliance of dress, slowly walked toward a hazy towered shadow. . . . Black caps and gowns; a window of rose and purple that scattered flecks of pink and pale mauve into the cool depths of darkness : a silence, echoing with the low song of a violin, winging against the silence with wave after wave of sound The figures wearing the caps and gowns rose; they held small b ue. candles, and as they approached the golden flame, the candles grew larger, so that when they were lighted them seemed much taller than the figures themselves and spread about them a glow similar to that of the large cen- tral light. Slowly the figures came to the edge of the disk ; they stepped from it, and the glow from their own candles held them uprierht. And men the darkness about them lightened, so that tired people hidden m the dusk turned their faces forward, flecks of mauve and pink light swayed out into distant corners and made the greyness vivid and beautiful, and the poignant vibrations of a violin changed dull rooms and dull thoughts into loveliness. The Shadow looked about at the straight blue candles spreading their glow freely in the darkness ;— then it leaned forward again, and, blowing gently, made the glow of the white central light spread even farther. More figures had appeared on the disk of light ;— figures wearing blue skirts and white sweaters and standing upon tiers of bleachers. — Joyce Coffee. [ 24 ]

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Senior Class And so Millikin harvests the nineteenth crop from her educational tree in the garden of Knowledge. Each year the crop goes forth indelibly stamped with Millikin traditions, Millikin ideals, and Millikin love. Wherever they go, wherever they may be, whatever they may do, they carry to the communities in which they seek to carry out the programs of their lives the undying enthusiasm and eternal determina- tion that was their ' s while housed and reared ' neath the Elizabethan towers of J. M. U. In many respects this year ' s class is no different than the others which have pre- ceded it. Its first and second years were marked with the same mortality and the same monotony of former years. Last year an event which will be pointed to as one of the crises in the history of the college found ample exponents among the Class of 1925. The clouds were low and darkness abounded. But as every shadow on earth is but reassuring proof of the sun above that makes it, the crisis was but a forerunner of the things that were to follow. Entrenched in the loyalty for the college that had been their own for three years, the class returned with new found determination to vitalize, construct, and build for a greater Millikin. Cooperating with the new admin- istration, their efforts have not been in vain. Wherever able minds and willing hands were needed to carry on the activities of the student body, a Senior could be found contributing his share to the work of the moment. In a few instances the class has done some things which can be definitely cat- alogued as accomplishments of the class itself. To the Ladies, presented under the direction of June Fisher Miller, brought forth dramatic ability which had been dor- mant for a period of three years. The versatility of the class was demonstrated to a satisfying degree. Further demonstration of capability was seen in the float which so proudly bore the class colors in the Homecoming parade. But when we search for things which were done for class and class alone, we find ourselves in a woeful dilemma. No class lives for itself; it lives for Millikin, and secu- lar activities cannot be readily found. Throughout the year members of the class have been picked by the! Decaturian staff as embryonic leaders in their community life. Tradition permits that only nine be selected. Yet there are others whose leadership is yet to receive its recognition after graduation. While in college, Doris Lowe, Rosalia McCambridge, Alsace Sullivan, Consuelo Cummins, Rolland Moar, Neil Arrington, Wilbur Abell, Charles Maxwell, and Sam Smith have been honored by elevation to the Order of J. M.U.ites. It is to be hoped that the confidence and hope placed in them will be an ever greater incentive to achievement in the future. And so the Class of 1925 leaves us with the ever-present effect that it has made on the college in its four year ' s attendance. It carries with it a sentiment and a brand of scholarship and attainment which may be reborn in future years in many little communities in Illinois where units of that class have endeavored to return to the country a part payment for the privilege of education, good citizenship. [ 2(i | ■ .AH ,, | 33i